Minister urges Prince Andrew to face Epstein inquiry

A UK government minister has said that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, should cooperate with US authorities if called to answer questions regarding Jeffrey Epstein, as the royal’s name was formally removed from the official roll of the peerage.

This development came just hours after King Charles III stripped his brother of all royal titles, including Duke of York, his HRH style, and other honours effectively ending Andrew’s public life.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the 64-year-old royal’s name had been struck from the roll following the King’s decision, made under royal prerogative rather than through legislation.

Andrew is expected to vacate his 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor and move into private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will make separate living arrangements, while their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will retain their titles as grandchildren of a sovereign.

Despite remaining eighth in line to the throne and a nominal counsellor of state, Andrew is considered an “inactive” royal.

Justice Secretary David Lammy, who as Lord Chancellor oversees the roll of the peerage, is understood to have processed the King’s order. Meanwhile, Trade Minister Chris Bryant told BBC Breakfast that Andrew should comply if summoned by US investigators.

“Just as with any ordinary member of the public, if there were requests from another jurisdiction, I would expect any decent person to comply,” Bryant said. “If Andrew is asked to appear before a Senate committee, he should do so.”

The King’s decision follows weeks of tension after Andrew resisted pressure to relinquish his titles voluntarily and sought to remain at Royal Lodge. Palace sources cited “serious lapses of judgment” over his association with Epstein as the decisive factor.

Recent leaks, including emails contradicting Andrew’s past claims about ending contact with Epstein in 2010, reignited public outrage. A photo showing Harvey Weinstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Epstein at Beatrice’s 18th birthday party at Royal Lodge further deepened scrutiny.

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The decision also came shortly after the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, in which she reiterates allegations which Andrew has strenuously denied  that she was trafficked by Epstein and forced into sexual encounters with him.

Giuffre’s family said in a statement that she had “never stopped fighting for accountability.”

“Today, an ordinary American girl brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” they said.

The Public Accounts Committee has also questioned Andrew’s 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, further intensifying calls for transparency over royal finances.

With his titles revoked and his public role ended, Andrew now faces renewed international pressure and the growing expectation that he may soon be called to testify in the Epstein investigation in the United States.

THE GUARDIAN